North Vancouver

North Vancouver is a mostly suburban area across the Burrard Inlet from downtown Vancouver. Surrounded by mountains and water on three sides, it's the ideal playground for the outdoor-minded. You can wander on miles of hiking trails (or test yourself on Nature's stairmaster), take in steep descents on a mountain bike or skis, kayak a fjord and cross canyons on a suspension bridge. If you're not looking for something that gets the heart going, there are always the stellar views the city affords. Ride the gondola to the top of Grouse Mountain for a view of Vancouver and beyond, stroll along the waterfront by Lonsdale Quay or relax in one of the many coffee shops. And that's one of the great things about North Vancouver — it's close to the sophistication offered by Vancouver but in 30 minutes you can be in the wilderness or a beautiful spot like Deep Cove and forget you're in a metropolitan area of over two million people.

Understand
The history and culture of North Vancouver is largely shaped by its geography and climate. Drawing on the frequent rain and temperate climate, the slopes of the Coastal Mountains were forested with massive trees and lush vegetation. The streams and rivers cascading down the mountains were ideal sources of salmon and the forests had abundant wildlife. The first inhabitants of the area, the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples, had a number of villages and camps on the shores of Burrard Inlet and relied on the rivers and forests for food and resources.

The same giant trees attracted European settlers, who started arriving in the mid 1800s. Logging became the principle industry and for a stretch of time in the late 1800s, the sale of logs from the Moodyville mill in North Vancouver was one of British Columbia's largest sources of export revenue. By the early 1900s, most of the old growth forest had been chopped down and the industrial focus switched to shipbuilding. The North Vancouver shipyards were at their peak during World War II and the decades immediately following, and are estimated to have built half of Canada's wartime cargo vessels. Much of the old shipyards are gone now, but their story is still told in the Shipyards area close to Lonsdale Quay.

One thing any visitor to North Vancouver will notice is the mountains rising up behind the city. More than just a beautiful backdrop on a pretty postcard, the mountains are an attraction onto themselves. Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour became popular in the 1920s and 30s with hikers and skiers. Chalets and cabins were built, followed by rope tows and chair lifts. Development has continued, with Mount Seymour now protected as a provincial park, while Grouse Mountain has become one of the Vancouver region's top tourist attractions with its views and year-round activities. The mountains were early hot-spots for and helped push snowboarding and mountain biking, and remain favorite locations for pro photo shoots. Many people choose to live in North Vancouver today for the easy access it provides to outdoor recreation.

North Vancouver is composed of two municipalities: the City of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver. The city is centred on Lonsdale Ave and is more dense and urban in character. The district is more suburban and is largely composed of single-family homes. The distinction between the two is irrelevant for travellers, and most locals would have a difficult time telling you where the city ends and the district begins (it's all just "North Vancouver"). However, if you get a parking ticket or need to visit one of the city halls, make sure to check which one — city or district — you need to go to.

Together with its neighbour West Vancouver, North Vancouver is part of a local regional grouping referred to as the North Shore municipalities, or simply "the North Shore".

Climate and when to go
The weather in North Van follows what happens in Vancouver, with sunny dry summers (July & Aug) and wet winters (Nov-Mar). The proximity of the mountains does influence the local weather though, with somewhat more rain and less sunshine than Vancouver. There's also more snow the further up the mountain you go. All of this will often be irrelevant to visitors, but if you are planning on hiking or skiing in the mountains, be aware the weather may be quite different than what you see in Lonsdale Quay, or can change quickly, so be prepared.

It's hard to pin down when is a best time to visit North Vancouver (and the region as a whole). The main attractions like Grouse Mountain and the suspension bridges are open year-round, as are hikes at lower elevations. If you have your heart set on doing the Grouse Grind or back-country hikes, then May-Oct are when they are open. The local ski hills are normally open from Dec to early/mid April, while kayaking and Deep Cove are at their best May through Sept.

Get in
See Vancouver for a listing of options to reach the Vancouver area by plane, by ferry, by intercity bus, and by intercity rail.

By car
If you're coming from anywhere other than downtown Vancouver, driving is probably the easiest way to get to North Vancouver. From downtown, the Lion's Gate Bridge (Highway 99) provides a scenic although sometimes congested entrance point. Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) and the Second Narrows Bridge (also called the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge) generally moves better. Both bridges slow down significantly during rush hour on weekdays; traffic can backup on weekend afternoons, as well.

By train
Rocky Mountaineer has a station in North Vancouver, which is served by the train to Jasper via Whistler and Quesnel in the summer months. This is a luxury service aimed squarely at tourists who wish to enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace, and not a practical option for travel.

Get around
Car and bus are both convenient ways to get around North Vancouver, although a car will generally be a little faster and more direct. Cycling is also possible with the network of bike lanes, but the terrain is hilly and the distance between attractions tends to be large, so a bike may not be the most efficient way to get around.

By road
Hwy 1, or the Upper Levels Highway, runs east-west from the Second Narrows Bridge to West Vancouver and provides quick transit across the city. However, if you're going to see the attractions, you'll need to get off the highway. Lonsdale Avenue runs north-south through the middle of the City of North Vancouver, while Capilano Road, Lynn Valley Road and Mount Seymour Parkway provide access to the areas above and east of the highway. Many shops, restaurants and businesses are located along Marine Drive and Lonsdale Avenue. As with most cities, traffic on these roads can be busy at morning and evening rush hours. Parking is quite plentiful and usually free on the North Shore.

By public transit

 * If your trip only involves the bus system, the standard adult fare is . Trips that combine the bus with either the SeaBus or Skytrain follow the normal three zone pricing system.
 * On the North Shore, the three transit hubs are Park Royal in West Vancouver, Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver and Phibbs Exchange in North Vancouver. Buses run between each of these hubs and out to the various attractions and parts of the region (e.g., Grouse Mountain, Horseshoe Bay, and Deep Cove). Park Royal and Lonsdale Quay have buses that connect with downtown Vancouver while Phibbs Exchange has buses that connect with Vancouver and Burnaby. Travel within North and West Vancouver is considered one zone and costs.
 * The main bus routes of note to reach North Vancouver from other cities are:
 * R2 - RapidBus service that connects Lonsdale Quay (and the Seabus) with Phibbs Exchange and Park Royal. This is one of two bus routes that connect with West Vancouver bus routes.
 * 28 - Connects North Van (at Phibbs Exchange) with the Millenium and Expo Skytrain routes (Gilmore and Joyce stations, respectively).
 * 210 & 211 - Connects North Van and downtown Vancouver via Gastown, East Van and the Second Narrows Bridge. The bus routes continue on to Deep Cove with a stop at Phibbs Exchange for transfers to other North Van bus routes.
 * 240 - Connects Lynn Valley, Central Lonsdale and Marine Dr with downtown Vancouver via the Lions Gate Bridge and the West End.
 * SeaBus is an easy, efficient, utilitarian option to travel between North Vancouver and downtown Vancouver. Departing from Waterfront Station downtown and Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver, the passenger only ferry ride takes 12 minutes to cross the harbour and the big windows at the front and back provide great views of the North Shore mountains and the downtown Vancouver skyline. Departures are generally every 15 minutes until the 9PM departure from North Vancouver and the 9:15PM departure from Vancouver; after that it runs every half hour until last sailing. The SeaBus operates from 6:02AM to 1:22AM M-Sa, and from 8:02AM-11:16PM on Sunday and public holidays. Passage is considered two zones so the standard adult fare is on weekdays until 6:30PM and  at other times. Cash is not accepted on the SeaBus so you must either buy a Compass ticket or Compass Card from the vending machines outside the SeaBus terminal or tap your credit card at the fare gate.
 * SeaBus is an easy, efficient, utilitarian option to travel between North Vancouver and downtown Vancouver. Departing from Waterfront Station downtown and Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver, the passenger only ferry ride takes 12 minutes to cross the harbour and the big windows at the front and back provide great views of the North Shore mountains and the downtown Vancouver skyline. Departures are generally every 15 minutes until the 9PM departure from North Vancouver and the 9:15PM departure from Vancouver; after that it runs every half hour until last sailing. The SeaBus operates from 6:02AM to 1:22AM M-Sa, and from 8:02AM-11:16PM on Sunday and public holidays. Passage is considered two zones so the standard adult fare is on weekdays until 6:30PM and  at other times. Cash is not accepted on the SeaBus so you must either buy a Compass ticket or Compass Card from the vending machines outside the SeaBus terminal or tap your credit card at the fare gate.

By bicycle
The city has made a real effort to be more bicycle-friendly, enhancing existing bike lanes and building new separated lanes across some parts of the city. The network is particularly useful for getting from Lonsdale Quay/Lower Lonsdale to the Lions Gate Bridge but is less useful for getting to attractions at the edge of the city like Lynn Canyon, Grouse Mountain and Deep Cove. A map is available from the Translink website.

See
The North Shore mountains are a beautiful spot and much of the area's attractions are designed to capture that beauty or to take in what people have built to overcome the obstacles posed by the mountains. Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge are the big attractions and popular with tour buses. To get a more local feel and North Shore experience, check out Deep Cove, Lynn Canyon or one of the parks listed below.

Lonsdale Quay and the Waterfront
Lonsdale Quay is a market, gathering place and transportation hub for North Vancouver, and often the starting point for exploring the city. The waterfront as a whole is still in development, but there are parks, public spaces, some history of the area and great views of the downtown Vancouver skyline.



Grouse Mountain
is an all-season attraction with a wide range of activities. The Skyride whisks you up the side of the mountain while providing views of Metro Vancouver and the North Shore Mountains. Up top, the has three restaurants, two shops, viewing windows and Theatre in the Sky, which shows short films about the area. Immediately outside of the chalet, is the summer patio that becomes the in winter. Beyond that are a number of fairly easy walking trails that lead to the Lumberjack Show, the Birds in Motion show and wildlife refuge area. There are a number of chainsaw-made wood carvings that are worth a look and on clear days you can catch a glimpse of Mt Baker.

From around April to October, trails are available to reach Grouse Mountain instead of taking the Skyride, which are covered in the Do section below. The Grouse Grind is only intended for one-way travel, up the mountain. Those who hike to the top can take the Grouse Mountain Skyride for $15 per descent.



Capilano River attractions
The Capilano River and canyon, along North Vancouver's western side, serves a number of roles. It's a spawning ground for salmon, the reservoir above the dam provides a large portion of Metro Vancouver's drinking water, and it's a recreation area, including one of the city's biggest tourist attractions, Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Hiking
There are beautiful hikes to do on the North Shore ranging from rugged steep climbs to gentle strolls, and range in time commitment from a couple of hours to a full day. Along the way you can potentially see waterfalls, lots of trees and some nice views. If doing some of the more advanced hikes in the mountains, be mindful that the terrain is sometimes steep, the trail rough and that you are in a wilderness area with bears and cougars so take appropriate precautions.



Snow sports
One of the things that drew people over to the North Shore in the early days was skiing and it continues to draw the crowds, particularly on weekends in January and February. The three ski hills offer a mix of downhill and cross-country skiing, tubing and snowshoeing. Opening and closing dates depend on the weather, but they are usually open by late November and close in early/mid April.



On the water
You'd never be able to describe the water as warm, but there are beaches at Deep Cove and Cates Park if you want a refreshing dip. The real attraction though, is the excellent kayaking in Indian Arm. Novice kayakers, or paddlers just looking for a couple of hours on the water, can paddle around Deep Cove and the nearby shoreline; the more experienced can explore the further reaches of Indian Arm. If you head up the Arm in a kayak, watch for motorboats as some move very quickly and be aware the wind normally picks up in the afternoon and will usually be against you on the way back to Deep Cove, so plan accordingly.



Cycling and mountain biking
North Vancouver, and the entire North Shore, is world-famous among mountain bikers as one of the best places to mountain bike. The obstacles created by the local terrain — roots, fallen trees, drops and the mountains — have led to a unique style of trails which combine man-made features and natural obstacles that has become known around the world as “North Shore” style. Not every trail in North Vancouver is a heart-pumping gnarly descent, though. There’s a growing network of paved trails that provide some easy riding and nice views. The main one is the Spirit Trail, which can be easily accessed from the Seabus and Lonsdale Quay.

Rentals
Bike rentals aren't as plentiful on the North Shore as they are downtown, so it may be easier to rent a bike downtown and take it on the Seabus. There are a couple of local options though with a good selection of bikes that can handle the level of riding you want.



Trails
North Vancouver trails cover the range from city cruising to forest paths to downhill descents. They’re listed below in approximate level of difficulty (paved trails at the top, mountain biking trails at the end). Mountain bike trails are graded using a green/blue/black system, with green being beginner, blue for intermediate and black/double black for advanced. Many of the trails are maintained by the North Shore Mountain Bike Association and Trailforks has an abundance of detailed trail information (also available as an app for iPhone and Android). Local bike shops are also good sources of information and first-hand knowledge.



Shopping malls


Many of the small villages within the North Shore have shopping districts, including and  (Ridgewood Drive and Edgemont Boulevard). A drive or walk along Lonsdale Avenue, Marine Drive and Main Street will also yield plenty of shopping opportunities.

Souvenirs, sports equipment and other stuff
A good spot for souvenirs (plus fresh produce, seafood and baked goods) is the Grouse Mountain has a gift shop in the bottom floor of the chalet with postcards, books, T-shirts, Native Art and other items. The Trading Post at Capilano Suspension Bridge has a large selection of First Nations art. There are also small gift shops in Deep Cove, Ambleside and Horseshoe Bay.

If your equipment needs a tune-up or you just want something new, Lonsdale Avenue has a number of shops that sell and repair bikes, snowboards and skis, as well as related accessories. If you need outdoor gear, there is a There are also shops along Marine Drive that cater for these sports.

Eat
If you're looking to buy your own food, there are plenty of grocery stores (Safeway, Save-on-Foods, Superstore, IGA) scattered across the North Shore. There are also smaller stores that sell produce (Kin's Market is one chain), as does the market at Lonsdale Quay.

North Vancouver has a large number of restaurants serving a variety of tastes. Generally, if you drive along Marine Drive or Lonsdale Avenue you won't have a problem finding a restaurant. A selection of restaurants is below.

Drink
Nightlife options in North Vancouver are limited. Clubbing is pretty much non-existent (you have to go to Vancouver to find night clubs), but there are a number of good neighbourhood pubs. There are also some microbreweries with lounges and kegs on tap if you want to sample the local craft beer scene. For microbreweries, the area just southeast of the Lonsdale Quay SeaBus Terminal has been designated the "Brewery District" and is home to microbreweries, cider mill, winery, distillery, and braggotery, with new establishments opening every few months.

Sleep
You'll find a smaller range of accommodation options in North Vancouver than Vancouver, with less luxury and fewer boutique hotels. Prices are a bit lower than downtown and still have reasonably easy access to Vancouver and most other destinations in the region. There are a number of chain motels located around the intersection of Capilano Rd and Marine Drive, while the fancier hotels are on the waterfront near Lonsdale Quay. B&Bs are also an option, with a number of them throughout the city.

Connect
All of the commercial and residential areas of the North Shore have cell phone coverage. However, the terrain is quite mountainous and therefore there are dead spots here and there. Once you get off on the hiking trails you lose cell phone coverage amazingly quickly.

Stay safe
The biggest danger in North Vancouver is the terrain and not being prepared. Property crime happens and usual precautions like keeping valuables out of sight should be followed. Violent crime is rare. If you need to contact emergency services, dial 911.

When hiking in the mountains, biking or skiing, understand the trails you are going on and do not go beyond your abilities or provisions. The terrain can be treacherous off marked trails with cliffs and gullies, and local rescue teams are frequently called out to find people who were unprepared or got in over their heads. Hikers should stay on well marked trails, have shoes and clothing appropriate to the level of hike and leave plenty of time to get back to the trailhead before nightfall (which happens quite quickly in the dense forest). Skier/snowboarders should stay in-bounds of the ski resort.

There are a lot of black bears around in the summer. Be bear aware when hiking around the North Shore areas.

Go next
If you're not ready to return to Vancouver yet, the North Vancouver offers several options for day trips and moving on.
 * West Vancouver, next door, has more parks, hiking and scenic views to take in.
 * West and north on Hwy 99 takes you through the Sea to Sky region, which offers varied outdoor activities including hiking, swimming, rock climbing and camping. It also takes you to the resort area of Whistler, with its nightlife, fine dining and a wide variety of activities that will keep you busy regardless of the season.
 * Get on the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to the Sunshine Coast or Nanaimo.